Tuesday, December 20, 2011

Give more

More and more, as i get older, i realize the importance of giving.  I feel like it has always been something that i have deemed important, but even more now than ever.

What better time to give than Christmas?   I have heard many sermons about giving and even more about how we "over give" on Christmas and how the true meaning of it gets lost in all the hubbub.

But, ya know what?  I don't agree with that. We should be celebrating each other and showing Christ's love all year long. And if giving gets especially emphasized during Christmas, well, that's even better. 

One very generous gift that we all have received, one of the very first acts of giving, was from God.  He sent his son to this earth to be born in a manger and to give his life so that, through him, we could spend eternity in heaven.

That's a pretty big deal. Definitely one worth celebrating!  I love this time of year. I love the feeling of joy. I love the smiles on peoples faces. I love the special moments spent together.  And i love to give.

Yes, black Friday is craziness.  But if we look deeper into that, its crazy because people are tyring to get the right gift for someone that they love, to show them they care. I know there is a hand full of people that are only out there for the steal of a deal on a flatscreen tv for their home to add to their overabundance of
"stuff".  But that is a small amount.  And not one i am going to get hung up on "hating" for their greediness.

For me its not about the perfect present for each and every one that i know. But it is about giving something, to show them that i love them and that they are valuable in my life.  A "thank you" for being a friend, sister, brother, mother, or father. A "thank you" just for being you. A small token or gesture to remind someone that they are important to me.  Its my way of showing Christ's love through a smile or a thought or a gift.

I love this time of year.  Yes its hard.. Especially for me, i just am NOT organized enough. But i don't want that to hinder me.  Its not about expensive gifts, because we don't have the funds.  Its about a cookie cooked with care. A present wrapped with joy.  A gift given with a smile. And a life lived in love.

Don't go against the grain and buy less for others this year.  Giving is exactly what we need to do. Now more than ever. To show people we still care.  We don't just remember Christmas because facebook reminded us in the morning.  We remember because we were given the ultimate gift.  We received life through a beautiful baby born in a manger.

Isaiah 9:6 "For to us a child is born, to us a son is give, and the government will be on his shoulders.  And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace."

Merry Christmas, dear friends.